Loretta (Park) Dillies, 85, born on October 2, 1934, passed away peacefully at her home in Westport, MA on January 17, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in New Bedford, MA to Kenneth C. and Madeline (Wyatt) Park. She graduated from New Bedford High School and attended Kinyon Campbell Business School. Loretta worked at Chas. S. Ashley Insurance as an insurance clerk for 40 years and made many lasting friendships. She married her late husband Calvin F. Dillies in 1955.
Loretta enjoyed music, including the Bee Gees. She grew up in a home where music played a big part of her life as her father, Kenneth, was a professional violinist and director of music in the New Bedford Public School System. She loved nature, animals, having car picnics at the beach and singing in the car with her daughter, as the duo, Loretta Lynne. Her kind, gentle spirit, laughter, quick adorable wit and beautiful blue eyes, will be deeply missed.
Her greatest joy in life was the extraordinary bond she shared with her daughter Lynne. They were magic together. She was so proud of her achievements and loved seeing her perform.
She is survived by her devoted daughter Lynne Dillies of Westport and grandduck Fidgie.
She was predeceased by her husband Calvin F. Dillies, and her sisters Natalie Prefontaine and Rosamond Conn.
She was the youngest of the "Park Girls." Dear to her heart are her nieces and nephews: Martha Stubbs (Scott), Doug Conn (Heidi), Dennis Prefontaine (Kathi) and the late Charles Prefontaine (Nancy), her great nieces and nephews, Megan, Sarah, Wayne, Gretchen, Lisa, Ann, Tommy, Matthew, Doug, Chris, Timmy and Nicole, and her special friend Bill Webster.
Funeral service to which relatives and friends are invited will be Thursday, January 23, 2020 at the Potter Funeral Home at 10:00 A.M.
Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4-7 P.M.
Interment will be in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Kenneth C. Park Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o New Bedford High School, Attn: Headmaster, 230 Hathaway Blvd., New Bedford, MA 02740.